Platform or load suspension



A. L. MEDENWALD 2,357,443

PLATFORM OR LOAD SUSPENSION Filed Dec. 30, 1943 Sept. 5, -1944.

s sheets-sheet. 2

. IN VENTOR.

BY MMM/:M

` ATTORNEYS sept.- 5, 1944.

A. L. MEDENWALD PLATFORM OR LOAD SUSPENSION Filed nec. so, 194s 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lun Fia. 7

Q Y INVENTOR BY v mmf 1,40@ 774W( wfv( ww@ ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 5, 1944 Arthur L. Meaewald, Los Ang'des, Calif., assign` cig-.by mesne assignments, to' The Cleveland Crane & EngineeringV Company,

Wicklffe,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio n Application December 30, 1943, serial No. 516,206 22 claims. (c1. 212-126) The present invention relatesto means for sus. pending and moving loads, platforms' and the like, and in certainV respects is an improvement on the load supporting and moving means disf closed and claimedy in my Patent No. 2,164,128 issuedr June 27, 19379, 'I'his application is a continuation inl part of vmy co-pending application Serial bla/402,888 filed` July 17, .1941 and abandoned February 11, 1944.

The principal object Vof the present invention is the provision of improved and novel load supporting and moving devices .wherein the loa'd is suspended from, anuoverhead support by cables in such a manner that the loadL can `be tilted but ij will not swing or rotate kabout a vertical axis.;

Another object of the invention is the' provision of animproved and novel load suspending and moving device wherein `the load is suspended from an overhead ksupport by cables, which not only serves as the suspending means but also as guywires t prevent rotation about a vertical axis and lateral movement or swinging of the load, and which includes means for raising or lowering, and/ or tilting the load as desired.

Another lobject of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved carrier for an overhead tramrail system wherein the load is suspended by cables in such av manner that it can be tilted but will not swing or rotate about a vertical axis.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved carrier for an overhead tramrail system wherein the load is suspended by cables, which not only serve as the suspendingV means but also as guy-wires to' prevent rotation` .about a vertical axis and lateral movement or swaying of the loadand which includes means for raising orlowering; and/or tilting the load as desired. Y

The invention resides in certain details oi'co'n'- struction and combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages will be apparent .to those skilled inthe art to whichy the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification' in which similar ref,- erence characters designate corresponding parts, and in which Fig. 1 is a plan View of a carrier for an overhead monorail system embodying the present invention; I y o A Fig. 2 is a-side elevationalA view of the carrier shown in Fig.. 1;

Fig. 3, is a sectional view approximately on the line 3- 3 of Fig. 1; y Y 5 Fig. 4 is a sectional view approximately on the Fig. 5 is a sectional view approximately on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view approximately on' the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but showing acarrierofmodied construction. Y.

Referring to-thedrawings, the reference Character A designates generally a carrier for anpverhead tramrail system supported on and adapted to travel along the supporting rails IIl and I ,Il suspended from the superstructure of thek building within which the tramrail system` is housed in a manner well known in the art. The carrier A comprises a supporting structure or frame I2 generally yrectangular in shape and provided at opposite ends withtrack-engaging wheels I3 by means of which the supporting structure or frame I2 is supported on and travels along the rails IIJ and II.

The load, in the present instance a platform designated by the reference character I4is suspended from the supporting structure or frame I2 by three pairs of tackles or cables I5, I6; I'I, I8; and I9, 20. The tackles or cables of each pair are angularly positioned with respect to each other and thepairs of tackles" or cables lie inY intersecting substantially vertical planes, as will be hereinafter more readily apparent, and not only serve as the suspending means but as guywires for preventing lateral movement or swinging of the load or platform I4, as well as rotation thereof about a vertical axis. Y

The platform I4 disclosed is elongated Yas viewed in plan, and the right-hand end, see Figs. 1 and 2, is supported by the pair of tackles or cables I5, I6 connected to the platform adjacent to its longitudinal centerline. The vertical parts of the tackles or cables I5, I6 lie substantially inv a vertical plane at right angles `to the length of the platform. The other end oi the platform I4 is Asupported by the other two pairs of tackles or cables I'I, I8 and I9, 20 connected adjacent to the sidesl of the platform.M 'Ihe tackles or the lvertical parts of the pairs of cables II,I8 and f I9, 2|] lie inl planes which intersect each other substantially upon a plane passing through' the longitudinal center line of the platform.

, One end of the cable I'I is connected atk afpoint Y 2 I to one side of the supportinggstructure,or yframe I2, see Fig. 5. From thisH point the cable,V IIl extends downwardly and inwardly to the side of theV platform I4 where it passes around a sheave 22 rotatably connected to the platform, then upwardly and outwardly in a, direction substantially parallel to the rst part of the cable and around a sheave 23 rotatably supported in the supporting structure or frame I2 near the point 2| at which the end of the cable I'I is connected to the frame. From the sheave 23 the cable extends inwardly towards the center of the frame I2 where it passes around a sheave 24 also rotatably connected to the frame I2. From the sheave 24 the cable extends to about the center of the frame I2 where it is connected to a cable drum 25. It will be observed that the tackles or cables are connected to the supporting structure I2 and to the platform I4 in such a manner that they form an inverted isosceles triangle.

The other cable I8 of the pair of cables I1, I8 is connected to the supporting structure or frame of the carrier at a point 21 which is spaced from the point 2| Where 4the cable I'I is connected thereto. From its point of connection with the frame I2 the cable I8 extends downwardly and outwardly to the platform I4 where it passes about a sheave 28 rotatably connected to the platform coaxially with the sheave 22, then upwardly and inwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the first part of the cable and around a, sheave 29 rotatably supported in the frame I2 near the point 2l at which the end of the cable is connected thereto. passes around a sheave 38 also rotatably connected to the frame I2 and then to the cable drum 25.

The construction is such that as the drum 25 34 the cable extends downwardly and inwardly to the platform I4 where it passes around a sheave 35 rotatably connected to the platform I4 adjacent the longitudinal center line thereof. From the sheave 35 the cable extends upwardly and outwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the downwardly extending part of the cable to a sheave 36 `rotatably connected to the frame I2, then yinwardly towards the center of the frame I2 where it passes about a sheave 3'I and then to a cable drum 38 rotatably supported in the frame I2.

From the sheave 29 the cable is rotated both cables I'I and I8 are simultane-V y ously taken up and let out equally. Il desired the ends of the cables I'I, I8, other than the ends connected to the cable drum 25,could be connected to the platform I4 at or adjacent to the place where the sheaves 22 and 28 are connected. However, the mechanical advantage obtained by the construction or tackle shown in the drawings would be lost. As will be understood byvthose skilled in the art to which the invention relates, any well-known tackle or sheave arrangement, other than that shown, may be employed to ob tain any desired mechanical advantage inherent therein.

The pair of tackles or cables I9, 20 are connected to the cable drum 25 and to the side of the platform I4 opposite to that to which the tackles or cables I'I and I8 are connected in a manner similar to that in which the cables II, I8 are connected to the cable platform I4 and the cable drum 25 just described. The description will not be repeated but corresponding sheaves are designated by the same reference characters with a prime mark aixed thereto.

One end of the cables I5, I8 which supports the right-hand end of the platform I4 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, is connected to the cable drum 25 in a manner similar to that in which the pairs of cables Il, I8 and I9, 20 are connected thereto, except for the fact that since they leave the drum in the opposite direction they are underneath the drum as viewed -in the drawings. Fromv the cable drum 25, the cable I5 extends to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, passing underneath a sheave 3| and over a sheave 32, which sheaves raise the cable to the top of the frame I2. From the sheave 32 the cable passes around a sheave 33 and then transversely of the frame I2 to a sheave 34 rotatably supported in the upper rear corner of the frame.

From the sheave The other cable I6 ofthe pair of cables I5, I6 is connected to the cable drums 25 and 38 and to the platform I4 in a manner similar to that in which the cable I5 is connected thereto, eX- cept that after passing over a. sheave 45, underneath a sheave 46, and around a sheave 48 correspondingv to the sheave 36, the cable passes over a sheave 4I similar to the sheave 34, except for the fact that the former is rotatably connected to the frame I2 at the front right-hand corner whereas the latter is connected to the frame at the rear right-hand corner. From the sheave 4| the cable extends downwardly and ine wardly to the platform I4 where it passes about a sheave 42 rotatably supported coaxially with the sheave 3|, then toa sheave 43 corresponding to the sheave 36, then to the sheave 44 and back to the cable drum 38.

The cable drum 25 is adapted to be rotated in opposite directionsby a'reversible electric motor 50, the actuation of which may be controlled in any conventional manner. The motor 50 ,is connected to the cable drum 25 through a self-locking wormV and worm wheel drive 5I. However, any suitable drive connection may be employed. The cable drum 38 is adapted to be rotated in opposite directions by a, reversible electric motor 52 connected thereto by a self-locking worm and worm wheel drive 53 in a manner similar to that in which the motor 50 is connected to the drum 25. In operation, the load or platform I4 can be raised and lowered by actuation of the motor 50 and can be tilted either as a separate 1 operation or simultaneously with the raising and lowering by actuating the motor 53. As shown, the isosceles triangles formed by the pairs of tackles or cables I5, I6; I'I, I8; and I9, 2|] are identical when the load or platform is level. The platform I4 will remain level so long as the tackles or cables are let out andV taken up uniformly.

The carrier A shown can be moved along the rails I8 and II either manually or by power means. In the embodiment shown the carrier is adapted to be moved by an electric motor 55 supported on the frame I2 and operatively connected to a transversely extending shaft 56 by a worm and worm wheel drive 5'I. The shaft 5B is rotatably supported in the frame I2 and extends substantially the full length of the frame and at its outer ends it is provided with a pair of wheels 58 which engage the under surface' or flange ofthe rails I8 and II. The wheels are preferably provided with rubber or like friction can be employed. For example, thel cable drum 38 can be eliminated and the ends of the cables differential mechanism so constructed and arranged that all of the drums can be simultaneously rotated by one motorand one or more of the cable drums rotated by a second motor. 'Ihe second motor may be operated alone,V in which event only the cable drum or drums connected thereto willbe rotated, or simultaneously with the operationof the rst motor, in which event the rotation produced by the second motor will be superimposed upon the rotation effected by the rst motor.

The present invention also contemplates the provision of means for letting out and taking up the tackles or cables of any one of the pairs of tackles or cables at different speeds so as tomove one or more ends or parts of the load-laterally, that is from side to side. For example, it will be apparent that the right-hand end of the load or platform shownV in Figs. 1 and 2 may b'e moved within certain limits, of course, in a horizontal plane or sideways by taking up one of the tackles or cables l5 or I6 by letting out the other tackle or cable. One suitable arrangement for accomplishing this result is illustrated in Fig. 7 which shows a carrier similar in construction t0 the carrier shown in Figs. l to 6, inclusive, ex-

cept for the fact that the drum 38 of the latterl carrier has been replaced by two separate drums- S and 6I driven by individual reversible electric motors 62 and 63, respectively. The electric motors 62 and 63 are connected to the drums 60 and 6I by Worm and worm Wheel drives 64 and 65, respectively, similar to the drive 52. The motors 62 and 63 can be operated either simultaneously or individually. When operated simultaneously, the operation of the device will be the same as the operation of the deviceshown in Fig. 1. When the motors 62 and 63V are operated individually, the right-hand end of the supported structure will move laterally, etc. The modied construction just referred to is of particular advantage where it is desired to align some part of a device carried by the supporting structure 4I with some other device which is either stationary or capable of limited movement only. From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that the objects heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that there has been provided a novel means of suspending and moving a load or platform wherein the cables or tackles which suspend the load not only act as the suspending means but also as guy-Wires to prevent rotation about a vertical axis and lateral movement or swinging and wherein the load can be raised or lowered and tilted either as a separate operation or simultaneously with its raising and lowering,

As shown the respective cables of each pair are connected to the supporting structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes em'-` bracing the points at which the respective Vpairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane. VGenerally. speakingthe greater. the area of this triangle `and thereby the spacing of the points at which the respective cables of each pair are connected to the supporting structures, Vthe greater the stability of the suspension. The respective cables of each pair are connected to the supported structurefor load at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned With respect to the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto. In other words the points at which the pairs of cables are connected to the supported structure form a triangle, generally speaking, and the respective cables ofseach pair are angularlydisposed' to each other and the respective pairs of cable lie-in non-parallel generally vertical planes.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail, it isl to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form of suspension shown or to overhead carriers, and itis the intention to hereby cover all modifications and alternative constructions Vthat come within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.- 1' i* vI-Iavingthus described my invention, I claim: '1. Inapparatus of the character referred to, a

supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a supported structurefrom said supporting structure, means lfor operatively 'connecting the respective cables of each pair to one rof said structures at spaced points so located that'vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected forma triangle with a horizontal plane, means yfor operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the other of said structures so that the respective cables of each pair/are connected to said last named structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto wherebyl the respective cables of each pair'are angularly disposedto each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, a single drum for simultaneously letting outandtaking up said pairs of cables, and a second drum for lettingr out and taking up one pair of cablesindependently of another of said pairs of cables.`

2. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting-the respective cables of each pair to one of said structures atspaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at Which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the other` of said structures so that the respective cables of each pair'are connected to said last named structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, means for letting out and taking up said pairs of cables simultaneously, and means for letting out and taking up one of said cables independently of another of said cables.

3. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of Icables for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the other of said structures so that the respective-cables of each pair are connected to said last named structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out and taking up a plurality of said cables at different rates of. speed.

4. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, meansV comprisingr three pairs of cables for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each Vpair to one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the other of said structures so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said last named structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for letting out and taking up one of said pairs of cables independently of another of said pairs of cables.

5. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective -cables of each pair to the load or member so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes. means for letting'out and taking up said pairs of cables simultaneously, and meansfor letting out and taking up one of said cables independently of another of said cables.

6. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to said supporting structure at spacedpoints so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a yhorizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the load or mem-i ber 'so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned vvith the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out and taking up a plurality of said cables at different rates of speed.

7. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the load or meinN ber so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out and taking up a plurality of said pairs of cables at different rates of speed.

8. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points so located that Vertical planes embracing the points rat which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the load or member so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, means for simultaneously letting out and taking up said pairs of cables, and means for letting out and taking up one of said pairs of cables independently of another of said pairs of cables.

9. In apparatus of the character referred to,

a supporting structure, means comprising three l pairs of cables for suspending a load or member, from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each'pair to the load or member so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the .same point but spaced from and disaligned with points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto' whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to cach other' and the -respective pairs of cablesl lie in non-parallel generallyvertical planes, a single drum for letting out and taking up said pairs of cables simultaneously, anda second drum for letting out and taking up onel pair of said r points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of tackles are connectedform a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of Veach pair to the other of said structures so that the respective tackles of each pair are connected to said last mentioned structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which theother pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each pair are angularly disposed Vto each other and the respective pairs of tackles lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, means for letting out and taking up said pairs of tackles simultaneously, and means for letting out and taking up one of said tackles independently ofVV another of said tackles.

11. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of tackles for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of tackles are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means'for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to the other of' said structures so that the respective tackles of each pair are connected to said last mentioned structure at substantially the' same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each pair are angularly ,disposed to 'each other and the respective pairs of tackles lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out and taking. up a plurality of said tackles at different rates vof speed.

12. In apparatus of the character referred t a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of tackles for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to said'supporting structure at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of tackles are vconnected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to the load or member so that the respective tackles of each pair are connected to said load or rmember at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of tackles lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out and taking up a plurality of said pairs of tackles at different' rates of speed.

13. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of tackles for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced pointsso located that vertical planes embracing the points at Which the respective pairs of tackles are connected form a triangle with a horizontal rplane, means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to the load or member so that the respective tackles of each pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of tackles lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, means for simultaneously letting out and taking-up said pairs of tackles, and means for letting out and taking up one of said pairs of tackles independently of another of said pairs of tackles,

14. In apparatus of the character referred to, an overhead trackway, a supporting structure movably supported on said trackway, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pairvto one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which therespective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the other of said structures so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said lastmentioned structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in nonparallel generally vertical planes, means for letting out and taking up said pairs of cables simultaneously, and means for letting out or taking up one of said cables independently of another of said cables.

' 15. In apparatus of the character referred to, an overhead trackway, Aa supporting structure movably supported on said trackway, means-comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means adapted for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the other of said structures so that the respective cables of each pair are connected to said last-mentioned structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other'pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cablesof each pair are angularly disposedY to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out or taking up a plurality of said cables at different rates of speed. 16. In apparatus of the character referred to, an overhead trackway,-a supporting structure movably ksupported on said trackway, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means adapted for operatively connecting therespective cables of each pair'to the load or member so that the respective cablesof each pair are connected to said load Y and means for letting out or taking up one of said pairs of cables independently of another of said pairsof cables.

1'7. In `apparatus of the character referred to, an overhead trackway, a supporting structure movably supported on said trackway, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points sorlocated that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of cables are connected form a triangle with av horizontal plane, means adapted for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to the load or member so that the respective cables ofeach pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from anddisalignedwith the points at which theother pairsrof cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly dis--` posed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in p non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out or taking up a plurality of said pairs of cables at different rates of speed. i

18. In apparatus of the character referred to, an overhead trackway, a supporting. structure movably supported on said trackway, means comprising three pairs of tackles for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respectivepairs of tackles are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane. means adapted for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to the other of said structures so that the respective tackles of each pair are connected to said last mentioned structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the pointsat which the other pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each -pairare angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of tackles lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, means for letting out and takingr up said pairs of tackles simultaneously, and means for letting out and taking up one of said tackles independently of another of said tackles.

19. In apparatus of the character referred to, an overhead trackway, a supporting structure movably suported on said trackway, means comprising three pairs of tackles for suspending a supported structure from said supporting structuremeans for operatively connecting the responsive tackles of each pair to one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of tackles are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means adapted for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to the other of said structures so that the respective tackles of each pair are connected to said last mentioned structure at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each pair are an-gularly disposed to each other and the respectivepairs of tackles lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out and taking up a plurality of said tackles at diierent rates of speed.

20. In apparatus of the character referred to, an overhead trackway, a supporting structure movably supported on said trackway, means comprising three pairs of tackles for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure,

means for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at Which the respective pairs of tackles are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means adapted for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to the load or member so that the respective tackles of each pair are vconnected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of tackles lie in nonparallel generally vertical planes,- means for letting out and taking up said pairs of tackles simultaneously, and means for letting out and taking up one of said pairs of tackles independently of another of said pairs of tackles.

2l. In apparatus of the character referred to,

an overhead trackway, a supporting structure movably suported on said trackway, means comprising three pairs of tackles for suspending a load or member from said supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective Vtackles of each pair to said supporting structure at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the points at which the respective pairs of tackles are connected form a triangle with a horizontal plane, means adapted for operatively connecting the respective tackles of each pair to the load or member so that the respective tackles of each pair are connected to said load or member at substantially the same point but spaced from and disaligned with the points at which the other pairs of tackles are connected thereto whereby the respective tackles of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of tackles lie in nonparallel generally vertical planes, and means simultaneously letting out and taking up a plurality of said pairs of tackles at different rates of speed,

22. In apparatus of the character referred to, a supporting structure, means comprising three pairs of cables for suspending a supported structure from said 'supporting structure, means for operatively connecting the respective cables of each pair to one of said structures at spaced points so located that vertical planes embracing the other pairs of cables are connected thereto whereby the respective cables of each pair are angularly disposed to each other and the respective pairs of cables lie in non-parallel generally vertical planes, and means for simultaneously letting out and taking up a plurality of said pairs of cables at different rates of speed.

ARTHUR L. MEDENWALD. 

